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Class. 

Book .1 9<^ Xo_ 

Copyright N^__iLav_2_ 

Ci)P»{IGIlT OEPOSm 



DREAM DUST 



DREAM DUST 

E. MARIE SINCLAIR 

Author of "Random Shots." 




THE CORNHILL COMPANY 
BOSTON 



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Copyright, 1918 

by 

THE CORNHILL COMPANY 



m 22 1919 



ICI.A5 1 27 TS 



DEDICATED 

TO 

MURIEL TANNEHILL 

A SMALL TOKEN OF MY VERY 
DEEP AFFECTION 



Contents 



Page 

I Send You Love 1 

Compensation 2 

Today 3 

Musicians 4 

My Friend 5 

Resurrection 6 

Oxbow Lake 7 

Friendship 9 

Freedom 10 

The Garden 12 

Ghosts 13 

Unheeded 14 

Seeking 15 

October 16 

My Friend 17 

A Song 18 

The Dwelling 19 

Dawn 20 

Loss and Gain 21 

Who Shall Say 22 

The Portrait 23 

Longing 24 

Gone 25 

Blind 26 

Love Came 27 

Opinions 28 

The Genius 29 

Fame 30 

A Toast 31 

Attainment 32 

The Seeker 33 

Wake, O Soul! 34 

The Slave 35 

They Who Sing 36 

Fetterkd 37 

Could I But Know 38 

'Tis Not for Me 39 

Two Worlds 40 

Paths 41 

At Parting 42 



CONTENTS 

Page 

Remembkance 43 

One Day 44 

A World 45 

The Dreamer 46 

Life's Minstrels 47 

Song 47 

Love 48 

The House of Memory 49 

Day and Night 50 

The Toilers 51 

A Love Song 52 

A Lullaby 53 

Lines To 54 

Thy Voice 55 

The Garden 56 

Love's Highway 56 

Awaking 57 

The Gift 58 

Life's Lesson 58 

Remembrance 69 

Bermuda 60 

Mates 61 

Somewhere 61 

The Supplicant 62 

Fruition 63 

If 63 

Unwritten Words 64 * 

Together 65 

Grant Me Sleep 66 

Attainment 67 

Lines To 68 

Then You Would Know 69 

Attainment 70 

At Close of Day 71 

A Supplication 72 

To 72 

My Friend 74 

ThbSong 76 



DREAM DUST 



I SEND YOU LOVE 

I send you love, — still more and more each day. 
I know your faith is lost and yet love goes 
To seek you everywhere, — and seeking, grows. 
Till all my life must answer to its sway, — 
Just as a mighty river seeks its way 
In channels deep beneath the winter snows. 
The star that seems to fade at early dawn 
Still burns throughout the day in that vast sky; 
Well knowing that its light can never die 
It waits until the night to be reborn. 
I send you love, and one day love shall steal 
Within your heart where faith shall hold it fast 
And you will trust again; then you will feel 
That tho' all else should end, — my love shall 
last. 



DREAM DUST 

COMPENSATION 

To M. T. 

In this great world and not so far beyond 
The power of our human gaze, must stand 
A reason and a motive for Hfe's ills 
We can but feel — yet cannot understand. 
Else why the toiling on from day to day 
A something undefined to lend us strength, 
Sustaining us, though we seem wholly blind; 
Some power guides our feet, — until at length 
A dormant knowledge wakes within the soul 
That all that is, is best unto which end 
With hope renewed, we seek each hidden goal. 
For joy must have its price and each must pay 
For happiness, with burning unwept tears; 
But as we pay — so we are paid in turn 
From out the changes of the changing years. 



[2] 



DREAM DUST 



TODAY 

Golden music 

Within my heart; 

Laughing stream and singing of the lark; 

Hope, — and a smile for any part. 

Perfume of flowers that blow on the hill 

Sunkissed winds; 

So fragrant the fields, that we want to lie still 

And just hark to the hush 

Of the day. 

While we may — 

Day will go onward with dusk 

Into night. 

None shall return. 

Today we go laughing 

Night is so near 

Who would happiness spurn? 

Gather life's flowers; 

Sunlight is ours, 

Who would our happiness spurn? 

Night — 

None shall return. 



[3] 



DREAM DUST 

MUSICIANS 

To E. M. J. 

O ye who hold the spheres and move the world 
By just a touch on some sweet subtle chord, 
An unsung melody within your souls 
That sweeps you on by strength of its accord! 
Can you but live within the empty day 
But giving to the world, — nor taking heed 
Of all that earth is taking, — gives not back. 
Have you yourselves, within your souls, no need? 
Have all God's songs unsung — yet sung to you — 
Swept all the need of earthly gifts away? 
Who give to life your very souls laid bare 
And find your heaven in your music's sway. 
In that tomorrow which we may not see 
Will songs you make repay what is your due — 
Who died but yesterday wrapped in your dreams 
And left to earth its crying need of you. 



4] 



DREAM DUST 



MY FRIEND 

I ask no friendship that shall give 
Its soul into my hand, 
I only ask my friend to be 
One who will understand. 

No friendship that with time shall grow 
Into a slave, — to serve, 
I only ask my friend to give 
What pity I deserve. 

I do not ask that friendship be 
A source whence I derive 
The strength, the hope or fortitude 
That keeps my heart alive. 

I only ask that friendship live 
So vast, so strong, so free 
That while I toil among the rest 
It shall be kind to me. 



[5] 



DREAM DUST 



RESURRECTION 

The morning that the bard lay dead, 
The friends who loved him, wept and said: 
" The greatest of us all is gone 
And all the earth will be forlorn 
Without the truths he taught." 

The morning that the bard lay dead. 
The wise men smiled and softly said 
" Now we can go forth in our might 
A foolish poet died last night 
And all the truths he taught." 

Yet in that place where he had gone 
Loud rang the words — He is reborn. 



[6] 



DREAM DUST 



OXBOW LAKE 

Sparkling 'neath the setting sun 

Oxbow's waters laid 

Shores and mountains touched with gold 

'Neath the blue arcade; 

All its ripples gold red gleamed 

Touched by setting sun — 

Here of old, I lay and dreamed 

When the day was done. 

Dreams so fair, so full of youth, 

Life so fresh and bright, 

Here I loved to lie and give 

Hopes to airy flight; 

When the dusk had closed about 

When the night drew nigh 

I would lie and count the stars 

Lighting up the sky. 

Cradled on the soft warm earth 

Nature vast and crude. 

Oh, the solemn Limberlost 

And her solitude! 

Mirrored in the silent lake 

Each bright lantern gleamed, 

Shores and mountains dim and still — 

Here I lay and dreamed. 



[7] 



DREAM DUST 

Dreams that never have come true, 

Fancies of my brain, 

Yet I'd give the world today 

Just to dream again 

Those old dreams beneath the stars 

Gone like all the rest — 

Up in that vast Limberlost 

Cradled on earth's breast. 



[8] 



DREAM DUST 



FRIENDSHIP 

If friendship live indeed on earth 
Not ever soaring higher 
To merge into a dream at last 
A friend were my desire. 

Not this my hope, — a friend should come 
To covet and to hold 
Within man's petty scheme of things 
Till friendship shall grow cold. 

I ask no spirit — save my own — 
To give such love to one 
That she shall know I was her friend 
When my life shall be done. 



[9] 



DREAM DUST 



FREEDOM 

I hear the call of the open 

From the mountains and valleys deep; 

Here have I toiled and striven 

There would I silence keep. 

I have won me gain that is barren 

Striven that I might control 

A kingdom where none existed 

Just fame for an empty goal. 

I have builded a prison of marble 
Myself have I made a slave 
To the will of a little people 
Who took of the best I gave. 
No worth have I found in the winning; 
No hope has there been in the plan; 
To the greed of my brain's ambition 
I have given the heart of the man. 

Yet what have I now to reward me? 
Perhaps I deserve no reward, 
Since I satisfied my ambitions 
And lost of my own accord. 
Could I go back, ah, how different — 
The gain of the empty years 
Cannot rid of my mind its memories 
Nor my heart of its unshed tears. 



[10] 



DREAM DUST 

The voice of the open is calhng 

Far from the din and the strife 

And the voice of my youth gives answer 

To the call of that other life. 

The land of my youth — how it beckons ! 

How the very soul of me craves 

For the freedom that's out in the open 

Where they make not of other men, — slaves. 



[11] 



DREAM DUST 



THE GARDEN 

Not in some garden that is far away 
Doth sweet contentment and true gladness lie; 
But here within the valley where we dwell 
At home, beneath the vast familiar sky. 

Not in the south, nor yet in the far west; 
Not in the promise of an alien ground; 
But in the garden we ourselves create 
Where we have toiled and lost but still, — have 
found ! 



[12] 



DREAM DUST 



GHOSTS 

Out from the prison of the mind 
With memories sweet to heal 
And still the sadness of today 
The long dead years will steal. 

Faces of friends I loved so well 
The clasp of their vanished hands, 
Echoes of voices long since still 
Faith that youth understands. 

Ghosts of old hopes and joys all passed; 
Ghosts of old fears and pain 
Arise before my eyes today 
And rising, live again. 



US] 



DREAM DUST 



UNHEEDED 

Dreaming of life the mighty poet gave 

A song immortal to a world of men 

And women, — who but smiled and lightly said 

" A masterpiece from some inspired pen." 

They laughed at it as we laugh when afraid 
Of truth within our hearts; our lips deny 
A something that is stronger than our strength, 
A higher will our wills cannot defy. 

As one who dreams at night, — who feels the peace 

Of all the universe that fades with day 

They made his poem just a thing apart 

From life, — too simple and too noble to obey. 



[14] 



DREAM DUST 



SEEKING 



I asked of Death that he would let me see 
What lay beyond the portals of the skies, — 
Would open them unto my world-worn eyes. 
Life answered then, and said " This may not be. 
Your heart is truly old, you have not found 
My meanest treasures yet, nor humblest flower. 
You have not sought my soul through one short 

hour. 
Beneath your feet you have but seen the ground." 

And then Life's voice in clearer accents rang, — 
" You take, yet nothing feel, it should not be 
You rob me asking Death shall set you free. 
Heard you no music in the song I sang? " 
Life said, " Behold my beauties all for thee!" 
I strove to see but it was all in vain. 
Another voice had answered mine again; 
Life wept and loosed my hand. Death called to me. 



[15] 



DREAM DUST 



OCTOBER 

October, welcome to our midst! 
Warm summer days are done; 
We greet you in a brimming cup 
The winter has begun. 

The hollyhock and goldenrod 

Are joys of yesterday; 

The trees have put on crimson gowns 

And winter's on its way. 

The turquoise sea has turned to gray, 
The hills to red and gold. 
Then sit before the blaze with me — 
Outside the night is cold. 

And drink October's health and cheer, 
Away with discontent. 
Next August we will just recall 
How winter came — and went. 



[16] 



DREAM DUST 

MY FRIEND 

To T. von U. 

You are such peace, so full of deep content, 
Not counting hours lost — which are not spent 
In toiling on and on to win some crown 
And caring little though the world should frown 
That you just gather flowers by the way. 
That wither in your hand at close of day. 

You are true peace, a harbor of such rest, 
Just counting warmth and sunshine far the best 
Of all life's gifts. A sense of modest fare — 
A mind that has no room for greed nor care. 
That holds sincerity the greatest worth 
And noble friendship sacred on this earth. 



[17] 



DREAM DUST 



A SONG 

Close thine eyes to me, my sweet, 
Seal thy lips that are foresworn. 
I had dreamed those eyes the world 
And the light in them the morn. 
Now thy voice brings back to me 
Only echoes — cold and drear — 
For you never really cared 
Oh! my dear, my dear! 

Take my heart and bury it 
Where the young spring violets grow. 
Where the morning dew will rest, 
And where soft winds gently blow. 
There shall love lie endlessly. 
Ever sleeping — without fear, — 
Faith and echoes, — bury deep 
Oh! my dear, my dear! 



[18] 



DREAM DUST 

THE DWELLING 

To A. E. F. 

I have a little dwelling, 
Low moss covered roof, not much, 
It's so simple it is hardly 
More than just a rabbit hutch. 

The green fields slope about it, 
A stream trickles by the door. 
There a peace comes o'er my spirit 
That I never felt before. 

The larks awake and singing 
In the early hush of dawn, 
And my very soul gives answer 
To the promise of the morn. 

The sun beats down upon me, 
As I lie there on the ground, 
Listening while all earth awakens 
To the music in each sound. 

I toil not, nor endeavor — 
All day long I dream and dream 
Quite forgotten, earth forgetting, 
Just a part of nature's scheme. 



119] 



DREAM DUST 



DAWN 

It was twilight in my world, 
And 'twas twilight in my heart — 
And my courage sank so low 
That I could not play my part 
Till you came. 

Yet I struggled day by day 
In the prison of my mind 
Often straying from the path 
In the darkness of the blind 
Till you came. 

All hope and all ambition, 
I had somehow cast aside 
And fate's mighty waters swept me 
In its ever surging tide. 
Till you came. 

Your voice hushed all the discord, 
Swept the gloomy mists away — 
And the night's dark shadows vanished 
In the sunrise of love's day 
When you came. 



[20] 



DREAM DUST 



LOSS AND GAIN 

I, who had known no grief — no joy — 
I looked on you, and your eyes were kind, 
Then watched you pass, tho' your glance met mine 
And I went my way with untroubled mind. 

I, who had known no grief — no joy — 
I touched your hand — and my love was born. 
I heard your voice, ah; 'twas wondrous sweet, 
And I dreamed of you 'til the early dawn. 

I, who had known no grief, no joy, 
Awoke to each — tho' my heart be slain, 
Tho' you but came to awaken me 
The loss was sweet — for my loss is gain. 



[21] 



DREAM DUST 



WHO SHALL SAY? 

It may be, dear, that you and I 

In two forgotten graves will lie. 

Where grief and joy shall end; 

Where hopes and fears no more shall last, 

Where even dreams will all be passed 

If death its peace may lend. 

It may be, dear, that you and I 
In two forgotten graves will lie 
Forever to abide; 

Or shall we share each joy and pain 
Beyond the grave, as here, again. 
Forever side by side? 



[22] 



DREAM DUST 



THE PORTRAIT 



Thou god of love, may thou my hand control. 
To paint my loved one's portrait in the whole. 
May my poor hand her inner sweetness paint 
So with the world her beauty thus acquaint. 
That all who seek for love's most cherished goal 
May worship at the shrine of her pure soul. 
Amid the light her radiant glance doth throw 
Which only those who worship there, may know 
Her face surpasseth day, it is so fair; 
And Titian's brush alone could paint her hair; 
Her mouth seems formed but for her lover's kiss 
And God made love for such a mouth as this. 
Ah! useless hope, no artist's skill is fit 
The portrait to conceive, or finish it. 



[23] 



DREAM DUST 



LONGING 

My whole life is dull and wasted 
Missing you, my sweet, 
Searching for you — ever — ever 
And forgetting never — never 
All the joys that once I tasted — 

Now I go to greet 
Shadows. Life is dull and wasted 
Missing you, my sweet. 

My poor heart is weary — weary 
Longing for you, sweet. 
Listening for your happy laughter, 
Joyous words that follow after. 
Years have been so dreary — dreary, 

Now I go to meet 
You for whom my heart is weary 
Longing for you, sweet. 



[24] 



DREAM DUST 



GONE 

Never again, for thee warm spring 

Thou art so sweet; 

Never again the rosy dawn 

And day to greet, 

Through long, long nights and troubled days 

The fates have swept thee, dear, always 

And now tho' love shall call thee, dear. 

Thou wilt not even know — or hear 

Or rise to greet. 



[25] 



DREAM DUST 



BLIND 

My first love was the real love 

But all too deep for me. 
The simple greatness it contained 

I could not even see. 

Thru' all the years that came and went, 

Thru' every night and day, 
I sought and dreamed of higher love — 

And life passed on its way. 

Thus did I spurn the first love, — 
The first love — and the last. 

Unrecognized until too late, 
Until it, too, had passed. 



I«6] 



DREAM DUST 



LOVE CAME 

I looked into love's eyes. 

My aching heart had seemed a stone 

Beneath the vast and cloudy skies 

To me a dweller upon earth — alone 

With dreams, and faith and hopes all over grown. 

With failures that the empty years had sown 

Until I saw love's eyes. 

Love clasped me by the hand. 
When suddenly the warm sun broke 
Through clouds and drove night from the land 
And with the dawn my tired heart awoke, 
From out its long and weary bondage broke. 
And tears of joy I could not understand 
Were mine — love clasped my hand. 

And then I heard love's voice. 
The sunny earth was mine once more. 
The message bade my heart rejoice — 
The love of Ufe was mine, earth to adore 
And all the knowledge of life's hidden lore. 
Deep faith in all mankind forever more — 
For I had heard love's voice. 



[27] 



DREAM DUST 



OPINIONS 

Once four fools sat on a tree. 
I spoke to three, 
Three spoke to me 
And each fool thought 
What fools they be. 

Four wise men sat on the tree. 
I spoke to three, 
Three spoke to me 
And each one thought 
What fools they be. 

Four people sat upon that tree. 
Two were fools as all could see 
And two were wise all did agree, 
Yet all four thought 
What fools they be. 



[28J 



DREAM DUST 



THE GENIUS 

Gone are the mighty hopes you woke, 
Gone are the tears that you made to flow. 
The soft sweet laughter that you awoke, 
The worship of those who could not know. 

Gone are the men whom you taught new strength, 
A blinded people you helped to rise. 
Yet lives your fame, w hich must leave the earth 
To write your name in the vaster skies. 

Gone are the cities you helped to rear 
Yet live their plans, that you made so true. 
Gone is the stone where they carved your name 
Yet in men's lives, lives the need of you. 

New races come, yet your soul goes on 
Down through the ages — the while you sleep 
So must you live, 'til the end of time 
A silent force, that the world shall keep. 



m 



DREAM DUST 



FAME 



Our foolish brains have dreams more fooUsh still. 
We dream of fame, and honor, you and I; 
\Miat difference do they make, we all shall he 
Beneath a time-worn headstone, by and by. 

There on the stone some humorist shall carve 
A worthy passage from our Christian creed 
And praise us, quoting how we filled our need, 
That those who knew our lives may smile and 
read. 

Then in three hundred years some connoisseur 
On epitaphs and genealogy' 
Shall come and trace what they wrote over me 
And print it in some book for fools to see. 



[90J 



DREAM DUST 

A TOAST 

To E. S. 

Here's hope, high purpose — strength to you. 

Honor in all you strive to do. 

Here's name — and greatest fame to you, 

Health — happiness — your whole life through. 

But lest my wishes come not true, 

Here's fortitude — and courage too. 

For life's uncertain — and dreams go wrong 

And there are tears in the sweetest song. 



181] 



DREAM DUST 



ATTAINMENT 

To C. R. 

I could not choose to live 

If life held but petty recompense. 

I'd sooner wander free 

Among the souls unborn 

That know not what it is — 

To cry out in their sufferings and to long 

For passions of this life 

Beyond the knowledge of a plain man's soul. 

I could not choose to live, unless perchance 

I, too, could climb the distant heights above 

And reach the highest goal. 



m 



DREAM DUST 



THE SEEKER 

I sought of my life a reason 
So I knocked at the temple door 
And they told me old world legends, 
But I wanted something more. 

I was only one among many, 
Just a stranger in my own land. 
The first to question the teaching 
Which I could not understand. 

Then I searched among new teachers 
And my questions won me fame 
They understood me a little — 
They called my need by a name. 

But my heart and brain grew weary 
For I found not what I sought. 
When a voice rose up within me 
And I listened while it taught. 

Thus it spake, " seek a star above thee 
And into thy heart its beam 
Shall carry the message of knowledge, — 
The soul of life is its dream. 



[33] 



D 11 E A U 1) u s r 



WAKE. O SOUL! 

Sovil, O soul! have you won your goal 

From the grief and the strife of time? 

Soul. O soul! have you found true peaee 

In a sphere that is quite divine? 

Do your thoughts ne'er turn to the old delights 

The thrill of the lesser way — 

The eall of old voices — are tliey dead 

In that world of your yesterday? 

Now to you does all nature blend? 

Soul, O soul! see you not the end? 

These are but shadows, and this vague land 

Is the dream of a spirit spent ; 

This but the land of a famished hope 

In the realm of your self content. 

Wake. O soul! in your narrow cell, 

'Tis the close of a little day. 

What matter if in your world of dreams 

That in life you lost the way. 

Soul, O soul! you have wandered far 

In the hopeless quest of a great dream's star! 



[341 



DREAM DUST 



THE SLAVE 

Fettered I stand amid a million free. 
The galley slave, the man in me. 
The man is held in worldly fetters still 
And yet my soul can wander forth at will. 

The man is forced to live his little day 
Amid a world now sad — now gay — 
And when at last comes night, ah! who can tell 
Where soul and body then will dwell? 

Together will they sleep throughout the night, 
Or is death but a door that leads to light — 
And if at last another day shall break 
Must we be slaves of what we still create? 



DREAM DUST 



THEY WHO SING 

Their need will live, when you and they are gone 
And singers new will search eternal skies 
To dream new dreams, they too may give to earth 
That song shall live for man, though singers die. 

All earth takes up their gifts of thought and sound 
And when their song is sung and they are past 
The weary world is gladdened by their dreams — 
So through all time and space their songs shall 
last. 



[36] 



DREAM DUST 



FETTERED 



I live in bondage — yet my soul is free, 
Free to go forth at will to thee; 
Fettered in sweetness, held in loving bond, 
I have no thought but thee, no dream beyond. 
Naught but thy wish can set my spirit free, 
No lips but thine can grant me liberty. 
I am a prisoner, — yet my soul is free — 
I am a prisoner of my love for thee. 



[37] 



DREAM DUST 



COULD I BUT KNOW 

I think, dear heart, should mine own people turn 

From me, when most I needed all their love, 

I think that I could still keep toiling on, 

And still believe God watched me from above. 

I think, dear heart, that should the world forsake 

And leave to me the bitterness of tears 

I think that I could struggle on and on 

And still could trust to Him the future years, 

I know, dear heart, if when my task is done. 
When I have given all I have to give — 
And I lie down to rest, on that still dawn 
Which breaks on that last day I have to live; 
If I can know that I have made you glad, — 
And easier the pathway where you trod. 
If I can feel you close — when death shall call — 
Then I can sleep, and leave the rest to God. 



[38] 



DREAM DUST 



'TIS NOT FOR ME 

Not given to me, dear. 

The brightness of a summer's day — 

Sweet silent nights — each filled with dreams of 

thee 
Strong heart — high hope — and purpose urging 

me 
To play my part, 
These fates have swept away. 
Not given to me, dear, 

The silent summer-night — its stars so bright. 
With dreams of life — nor memories of past years 
Sweet peace to come at last e'en born of tears 
That brought you near 
Just at life's end — the night. 



[39] 



DREAM DUST 



TWO WORLDS 

Dearest, can you remember other days 

In that far distant land where first we knew. 

Where you did lead me blindly in your ways, 

Teaching me life — I knew naught else save you. 

I lived but by your very love alone 

And little cared that other means had flown, 

Your smile — your voice — your touch were all 

to me 
I only wanted never to be free. 
Of all the joys — and peace — and struggles too 
Of those few years — God gave me you. 
I tied my earthly hope unto a star 
For all is strange, and often bitter fear 
Is in my heart, you are no longer here 
But in that world — where doubt and silence are. 



[40] 



DREAM DUST 



PATHS 



I could not keep the gift of thy dear heart, 
Beyond my dreams — beyond my fancies highest 

flight — 
You stand apart. 

Not this my aim, a higher purpose yet 

Doth hght my heart within its darkened cell, 

and so 
I'd not forget. 

My love seems kindled by its very fires 

I could not — nor would I forget the throbbing 

grief 
Of lost desires. 

Upon this earth our separate lots are cast. 

Our paths met once, but to diverge again, for 

here 
Joy could not last. 

Delayed our love may be, for more lives yet. 
But in some future age our separate paths will 

meet — 
We can't forget. 



[411 



DREAM DUST 



AT PARTING 

Shake hands, nor part in anger, 
Touch lips, nor part in tears. 
Remember only happiness 
Throughout the coming years. 

Though life has found me wanting 
In what you needed, dear. 
Yet let us part in friendship 
Since love no more is here. 

Yes, let us part in friendship. 
For sacred memories last 
And though apart we face new years 
My hopes lie in those past. 



[431 



DREAM DUST 



REMEMBRANCE 

When I no longer, dear, may clasp your hand 
In that far distant and that silent land, 
Will places that we loved all seem forlorn. 
Will you remember still, when I am gone? 

When death has gently closed my eyes in rest 
And earth lies softly on my weary breast. 
Will you remember me enough to keep 
My memory in your heart the while I sleep? 

Then death could hold no fear, peace would abide. 
The step from life to death is not so wide. 
Though far from you I may be happy yet 
If I but know that you will not forget. 



[43] 



DREAM DUST 

ONE DAY 

Lines To . 



The beauty and the end 

Of one sweet day, 
The memory of the words 

You could not say 
Live in my heart — 

And Uving die again. 
The beauty and the end, 
The sweetness and the pain. 

I hold my life more dear 

For that one day divine, 
I owned and gave away 

For it was mine. 
And none can take from me 

The loving of you, dear, 
Nor rob me of the thought 

That you are near. 



[44] 



DREAM DUST 

A WORLD 

To E. S. 

A world of love and laughter 
Crushed into time and space, 
A world of love and sadness 
That time cannot efiFace; 
A world of mists and shadows, 
A world of doubts and fears. 
Of emptiness and loneUness, 
Of wastefulness and tears. 
A world — a world of longing, 
Of memories that die; 
A great world, full of solitude — 
A race — that passes by. 



[45] 



DREAM DUST 



THE DREAMER 

I am a dreamer, one who seeks to know 
The garden spots of earth, where all dreams grow- 
A useless dreamer, one who takes no part 
Yet hears earth's wondrous music in his heart. 

I am a dreamer, dreams are all of me 
And so perchance — I never clearly see 
Earth's beauties growing round about my door 
Since dreams to me are real, and nothing more. 

I am a dreamer, yet would I remain 
A dreamer ever in mine own domain — 
I would not know the bitterness of tears. 
The empty usefulness of toil-spent years. 

I am a dreamer — one who takes no part 
Mid turmoils of this life, just one whose heart 
Is ever filled with dreams of wondrous worth, 
Whose joyous songs must one day fill the earth. 



m 



DREAM DUST 



LIFE'S MINSTRELS 



I sing my song, but no one knows, 

So quietly I sing it, day by day 

Within my heart the music grows and grows 

Till all the world is governed by its sway. 

I sing my song, yet none have guessed — 
And when this song is finished none will heed, 
Yet when the song is sung and I at rest, 
Another singer will fulfil earth's need. 



SONG 

I placed my love in a golden urn, 
Only its ashes thus could I save; 
I buried love in a lonely spot 
And planted a flower on its grave. 

When twilight came I went there to weep — 
The flower had withered, bent its head. 
But my tears had fallen upon its grave 
And a garden blooms — where love lies dead. 



[47] 



DREAM DUST 

LOVE 

To E. J. S. 

Some few there are who call me but a dream, 
Who only feel that living brings them pain. 
Who cannot know I change their loss to gain 
And am the soul of things — that only seem. 
The sun at dawn — the twilight of the day, 
The beat within the very heart of life 
That stills the sorrow, making calm the strife. 
The answer — that no more shall pass away. 
I am the garden where God's flowers grow, 
The mighty ocean — where life's rivers flow, 
I am the goal of vanquished hopes and fears, 
The sweetest solace through the passing years; 
And when earth's kings and monuments are past 
Through all eternity encircling I shall last. 



148] 



DREAM DUST 



THE HOUSE OF MEMORY 

I have built a house of memories 
That I may wander through — 
All its rooms are filled with treasures 
Of those hours I spent with you. 

All the walls are hung with pictures 
That I took from out my heart 
And I live here close beside you — 
Though the fates swept us apart. 

O my house — my home of memories ! 
Here I hold you to my breast 
And your love shuts out all sorrow 
As your voice stills all unrest. 

Life's long hours are not empty, 
Each is filled with joy divine 
In this home of happy memories 
Where we dwell, lost love — of mine. 



[49] 



DREAM DUST 

DAY AND NIGHT 

Lines To . 

When day is breaking 
When the dawn grows gray 
When earth is stirring 
When at last comes day 
I hear you calUng 
CalUng — caUing 
When 'tis day. 

When day has faded 
When the stars grow bright 
When earth is sleeping 
When at length comes night 
I hear you calling 
Calling — calling 
When 'tis night. 



[501 



DREAM DUST 



THE TOILERS 

To him be gold, whose soul is bought 
By barren gain through empty years, 
Who cannot climb the distant heights 
Nor feel the misery of tears. 

To him be fame, who writes in song, 
Whose language flows as crystal streams, 
Who dwells apart — whose world is one 
Carved out of fancy and of dreams. 

To him be love, who chose the way 
Where many weary travelers trod — 
Who gave to weakness of his strength 
And built a pathway up to God. 



[51] 



DREAM DUST 



A LOVE SONG 

Fair is my love, peace reigneth in his face. 

His eyes and mouth, his smile — can show but 

part 
Of all the beauty growing in his heart. 

Blest be my love — so dear he is to me 
That all the gods who dwell in worlds above 
Seem not one half so fair, as him I love. 

God guard thee well, thou dearest love of mine — 
May angels bring the sweetest dreams they can 
Of years when thou art come to be a man. 



[52] 



DREAM DUST 



A LULLABY 

Why dost thou weep, my little one; 
Rest gently in my arms, 
The angels watch as thou dost sleep 
And guard thee from all harm. 

Thou little child, my precious one — 
Thy tiny toy -like boat 
Steer to dreamland's wondrous seas, 
Where the happy children float. 

The laughing winds sing lullabies 
And sweet thy rest shall be, 
Then dawn shall bring thee back again 
My dear one, safe to me. 



[53] 



DREAM DUST 



LINES TO 



Your love was mine, tho' I let you go 
I sometimes dream that you love me still. 
That I hear your voice — that you call my name 
And your love still answers my selfish will. 

My eyes still search for you everywhere. 
Each place we loved in that other day 
I haunt again in vain hope that I 
May see you passing along the way. 

My life seems dead — I am dead to you. 
You were mine, Alas that I have no right 
To call you back, since I let you go 
To take the day and leave me the night. 



154] 



DREAM DUST 

THY VOICE 

Lines To . 

Thou I love and may not see 

Dead thou art, — 
I can grasp thy still cold hand 
Knowing thou wilt understand 

All my heart. 

Life and love must come and go, 
Swept in time's relentless flow 

Toward Death's sea; 
But my heart may still rejoice 
At the memory of thy voice 

Left to me. 



[55] 



DREAM DUST 



THE GARDEN 

I seek ray garden when the day is done. 
So peaceful it is there at setting sun. 
Sweet memories and whisperings fill the air, 
So calm it is, I love to wander there. 

There are no shadows, lurking dim and gray 
From out the tears and grief of yesterday; 
My garden has no walls, yet stands apart, 
A memory of you within my heart. 



LOVE'S HIGHWAY 

Now on earth's open highway 
Could I choose to spend my days. 
Rather to wander by your side 
Along its still by-ways. 

Each path enchanted — I would find 
All nature then would blend. 
The dust would bring us dreams untold 
Love's dawning at night's end. 



[56] 



DREAM DUST 



AWAKING 

Last night I dreamed a wondrous dream, 
That I lay in thine rapt embrace. 
And that warm kisses pressed my Hps 
Until my heart found resting place. 

Upon my fevered face and brow, 
I dreamed I felt thy cool, sweet breath 
And lying thus, in thy dear arms 
I felt no dread of coming death. 

But morning saw the dream pass by, 
And when I sought, in vain, to find 
Thy face again as in my dreams 
Ah ! then, — I knew death could be kind. 



(571 



DREAM DUST 



THE GIFT 

A breath from heaven faUing, 
'Twas kissed by the summer breeze. 
And fell to rest within my heart 
Bidding my every grief depart — 
It was your voice. 

A gift from heaven falling, 
'Twas shaped by an angel's hand, 
And fell to rest within my heart, 
Bidding all loneliness depart — 
It was your love. 



LIFE'S LESSON 

When first I loved, I did not know my soul 
Could suffer so for want of love's control, 
But life has taught me — swept all peace away 
And there is no more sunshine in the day. 
Yet must I struggle onward — strive in vain 
With any other joy to quiet pain; 
What joy is there for me, since I have known 
How vast love is — since you to me have shown 
There is no other way, so death were best 
To bring my weary heart — at last its rest. 



[58] 



DREAM DUST 



REMEMBRANCE 

Dear, in those days — long past — how I recall 
The paths where thou and Love and I did stray, 
The woods and streams and fields we wandered 

through; 
The open road, where first we met, then left 
For unused trails where we might walk alone. 
Where soul to soul might speak — unheard by 

those 
Who cannot hope to gain life's sweetest gift. 

How couldst thou leave the paths where we three 

walked 
I wonder didst thou hear the call of earth. 
Or was the silence all too deep for thee 
Who doubtless wearied of the love I gave; 
Yet I who walk these by-ways of lost joys 
Still seem to feel thy presence here among 
These paths where thou and Love and I once 

dwelt. 



[59] 



DREAM DUST 

BERMUDA 

Lines to . 

Great coral beds o'er grown with budding life, 

Beyond horizon of the ocean lie, 

Set in a sea of opal coloring 

Beneath the endless warmth of azure sky. 

Far from the noise of crowded city streets 

A world apart, where weary hearts may steal 

Forgotten in the quietudes of days 

And solemn nights — where only dreams are real. 

Here would I be — for one I love the best 

Is ever with me, in this fairy land. 

Dreams are so real — that she walks by my side 

And though she is not here — she clasps my hand. 



160] 



DREAM DUST 



MATES 

The mountains merge into the sky, 

The land's ends kiss the sea. 

The setting sun greets darkest night. 

My heart cries out to thee. 

For even nature has its mates, 

And sings with joy divine, 

And so when first I touched your hand 

I wanted you for mine. 



SOMEWHERE 

Dear heart, when Hfe's last hour has come — 
When sight shall fail, and voice grow dumb 
And death its lonely watch doth keep — 
Sweet dreams of thee will fill my sleep. 
Dear heart, my soul will wait for thee. 
Await thee — through eternity. 

Dear heart, no death can e'er destroy 
Our memory of hallowed joy. 
Life has no more to give than we 
Drink from love's cup of ecstasy — 
In death our love shall be reborn 
And we will meet again at dawn. 



[61] 



DREAM DUST 



THE SUPPLICANT 

Dear, I have known so many, many blessings 
Yet, never one — until you came, mine own; 
And I kneeled down — in humbleness to worship 
Before — Love's throne. 

Dear, I have known so many, many sorrows 
Yet never one until we parted, dear. 
And I felt every hour dull and empty 
You were not near — 

Dear, all my very life is spent in waiting. 

I little care if years be long or few 

Since toward the end God listens to my pleading 

And gives me you. 



[62] 



DREAM DUST 



FRUITION 



Somewhere outside the vale of little things 
I felt a spirit drawing near mine own 
So thru' the years I've waited, 
Patient and alone. 

Somewhere — above, beneath and far beyond — 
I heard a sweet voice calling to my heart. 
So I have waited all the years, — 
Life's greater part. 

Somewhere within my life — within my soul — 
I dreamed this fairest dream of dreams came true. 
So when you came to me that day. 
Dear heart — I knew. 



IF 



The love which I may only dare 

To tell you in my dreams. 
How sweet 'twould be if we might share 

The real, for what it seems. 
For all my life, — my heart — my soul 
Are tensely strained to this 
To waken from imprisoned love 

In one forbidden kiss. 



(63] 



DREAM DUST 



UNWRITTEN WORDS 

You ask me why I write no verse to you — 
No poem of our love — there are a few 
Things all too sacred for the poet's pen, 
I cannot write of love as I could when 
I wrote, but as I dreamed such love would be, 
I cannot give to earth your love of me. 
My song of love is dead — its grave forgot; 
I cannot write of love — since I cannot 
Find words suflBcient in my barren art 
To still the wondrous music in my heart. 



[64] 



DREAM DUST 



TOGETHER 

Out from the cold and darkness 

You came, yet I never knew 

'Til your hand touched mine in the sunlight 

That life and the world meant you. 

Meant you, — with God's sacred promise 

Of all that love holds most dear. 

The fulfilment of life's endeavor, 

The knowledge that you are near. 

For you changed the night to morning — 
I stood in the light at last 
And the darkness so filled with sorrow 
Seemed a thing of ages past. 
Your love shed a mighty radiance 
Which wrapped us within its light, 
And the twilight can hold no anguish — 
Together we wait the night. 



[651 



DREAM DUST 



GRANT ME SLEEP 

When I have finished living, dear, 
And lay me down to die, 
Should I go to another world 
Beneath an alien sky. 
And lie among the sleepers there 
With hands clasped on my breast 
Until you come — my soul will know 
It cannot rest. 

When I have finished living, dear. 
And lay me down to die, 
Should I go to another world 
Beneath an alien sky; 
The heart that still belongs to you 
Its endless watch will keep 
Until you clasp me in your arms 
And grant me — sleep. 



[661 



DREAM DUST 



ATTAINMENT 

A dream was born within the soul of me. 
It whispered — I will linger thru' life's day 
To teach you hope of all the things that be 
And ever guide you safe along the way. 

It led me on thru' long, long nights of pain. 
It laughed with me within the noonday sun. 
I told it fables of my hopes long dead, 
Of songs unfinished — and of deeds half done. 

And ever and always the dream was true, 
It seemed to grip me — to hold me fast 
'Til the song rang clear in my heart again 
And my life had become my dream at last. 



[67] 



DREAM DUST 



Lines To 



On my poor heart, as on a sheet are traced 
Thy words, that ne'er again can be effaced — 
One perfect day descended into night 
And God alone with His all-seeing sight 
Doth know the bitter anguish of my breast. 
Doth know the pain that will not let me rest. 
I seek for day — yet cannot find the light. 
For save thy presence — earth is dark as night. 

Come weep with me, if you be one whom they 
Will make believe, but then to take away 
The faith they teach, yet cannot hope to live. 
The love they take, yet cannot hope to give — 
Whose lips are death and yet at whose command 
You give the best of all that you had planned. 
Thou whom I love, by what grim stroke of fate 
Have I turned love to bitterness and hate? 

As at God's altar — priests have prayed before, 
So have I worshiped you in wondering awe. 
Just at a word, how my weak pulse has throbbed 
And at your silence how my heart has sobbed. 
Is there a sage who could have prophesied 
That this great love you gave, had so soon died? 
'Tis more than life you take, well be it so 
Since it has failed your need — I gladly go. 



[68] 



DREAM DUST 



THEN YOU WOULD KNOW 

There are no words to tell you, none I know 

Which could express my love of you, my need 

And longing, through the endless days and nights 

That come and go, yet never bring me near 

The garden where you dwell, nor think of me. 

You have no need for this poor heart of mine. 

No need of anything I have to give, 

I am but one who stands apart to watch 

Your rare and your unfailing loveliness 

Then once more seeks his place amid the crowd. 

But should I meet you one day face to face 

Though I should talk to you of all things else 

Yet never voice this love of all my life 

I think that you would know — and understand. 



DREAM DUST 



ATTAINMENT 

If I were one whom all the world held great 
Perhaps you might not love me over much. 
Might even think me great, and yet pass by 
And never find in me, your mate, and such 
Small things that you today do love me for, 
And that the world forever will pass by — 
Yet if I gained the world and lost you so 
I had not lived, when I came down to die. 

If I were one whom you alone held great, 
Just one who follows where the wise shall lead 
And never wins the heights above the plains, — 
Tho' earth for one like me has no great need, — 
Yet still possessed the worth to keep your love 
And know that you would stay, — tho' fame 

passed by. 
If I but filled your need — and lost earth so 
I will have lived, — when I came down to die. 



[70] 



DREAM DUST 

AT CLOSE OF DAY 

Lines To . 

Sunset of molten fire — gold and gray — 
A perfect peace which comes with close of day. 
Mountains grown dim, against a dimming sky 
Vast solitude profound, and you and I. 

The silent sea, a mirror for the night 

Of moon and stars — that are not half so bright 

Above us in the quickly darkling skies 

As the soft radiance in your dear eyes. 

Night, and the world itself has turned to rest; 
I, too, would lay my head upon your breast 
Shutting out thought — knowing how fast time 

slips, 
Feeling your kisses only — on my lips. 



[71] 



DREAM DUST 



A SUPPLICATION 

Lord, teach us our love to hold, 
Letting it our lives unfold. 
Make it to us, sacred — blest 
Far excelling all the rest. 
Hear our prayer, all else is thine, 
Take not back thy gift divine. 
Grant our love shall ever be 
Perfect, through eternity. 



TO 



To me you are very wonderful, 

My dearest one. 

I see you standing before me 

With your deep grave eyes alight 

With love and tenderness 

For me. 

As my heart kneels down in worship before you 

Words rise from my soul my lips dare not utter — 

Because of my love for you 

That ever holds them dumb. 



[721 



DREAM DUST 

I feel the soft caress of your hands 

As they reach out and touch my face. 

And the moisture of your Hps 

When they press against mine own, 

And your burning kisses 

That cool the fever of mine unrest. 

For always you are by my side 

Though my hand may not touch your hand 

Because of earth's space between. 

To me you are very wonderful. 

My dearest one, 

I hear you speaking of all things. 

But of that within your heart 

You are ever silent 

For me. 

But my eyes seek your eyes amid the darkness 

Of our waiting — until the dawn breaks for us 

And your eyes give mine answer 

Though our lips be dumb, love waits. 



[73] 



DREAM DUST 

MY FRIEND 

To E. C. La M. 

What majesty it is, — A loyal friend 
Without beginning and without an end, 
Who fills the song of life with theme so sweet 
That, lacking it, all life were incomplete. 

Thousands and thousands of long years ago 
It seems that such a friend I then did know. 
That we have traveled on thro' time and space 
Until we stood acknowledged, face to face. 

And never once to me her lips have lied. 
Though we have walked so closely side by side 
That even thoughts of mine, I never spoke. 
An answering thought for me in her awoke. 

She has been strength — when all my strength 

seemed gone — 
And never wearied — tho' the days were long. 
I love her, with a lov^e that knows no end, 
Proud of her friendship — proud to be her friend. 



[74] 



DREAM DUST 



THE SONG 

You are so wondrous in mine eyes 
All life is glad. I ne'er will tire 
Of all my dreams that fold you close 
And keep my heart a singing lyre. 

At twilight dreams have power to bring 
You close. I feel your lips on mine. 
And hear your dear voice whispering 
Till life and earth are turned divine. 

You are so perfect in mine eyes 
That in them you could do no wrong, 
And though the world outside be sad 
Within my heart you are the song. 



[75] 



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